Heidi Norton
Norell by Norell, launched in 1968, was a fragrance that embodied the iconic designer Norman Norell's vision of American elegance and sophistication. The perfume was manufactured four times, first by Norell Perfumes Inc, then by Norell Prestige Perfumes, followed by Norell Five Star Fragrances, and finally by Norell Parfums New York. The perfume was an instant success, with first-year sales reaching $1 million, and continued to gain popularity, with annual sales of $10 million by 1974. The Norell product line was expansive, offering a range of luxurious formats, including concentrated perfumes and pampering body products. Today, the perfume is considered a vintage classic, with some seeking to purchase it on eBay and other online platforms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Norell Perfumes Inc, Norell Prestige Perfumes, Norell Five Star Fragrances, Norell Parfums New York |
| Perfumers | Josephine Catapano, Celine Barel |
| Designer | Norman Norell |
| Year of Launch | 1968 |
| Retail Price | $50 an ounce |
| Yearly Sales in 1974 | $10 million |
| Retail Price in 1978 | $60 per ounce |
| Retail Price in 1984 | $75 per ounce |
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What You'll Learn
- Norman Norell: the American fashion designer behind Norell perfume
- Norell's manufacturers: a history
- Norell's scent: notes of hyacinth, cinnamon, rose, oakmoss, musk, cedar and civet
- Norell's product line: from perfumes to body products
- Norell's sales and success: from $1 million in the first year to $10 million in 1974
Norman Norell: the American fashion designer behind Norell perfume
Norman Norell, born Norman David Levinson, was an American fashion designer known for his elegant and feminine designs. He was born in 1900 in Noblesville, Indiana, and aspired to become an artist from a young age. At 19, he travelled to New York City to study fashion illustration at the Parsons School of Design. A year later, he enrolled at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn to pursue fashion design. It was around this time that he adopted the professional surname "Norell", formed using the first three letters of his first name and two letters from his surname, "Levinson".
Norell's career in the fashion industry spanned five decades, beginning in 1922 when he worked as a costume designer for Paramount Pictures in Astoria, Queens. He also designed costumes for Broadway shows in New York City, including for silent movie stars like Gloria Swanson. In 1928, he began working with the fashion designer Hattie Carnegie, a collaboration that lasted until 1941. During this period, in 1943, Norell won a Coty Fashion Award. Soon after, he partnered with Anthony Traina to establish the fashion company Traina-Norell, and his evening dresses and designs started gaining recognition.
In the 1960s, Norell became the sole owner of his own fashion house on Seventh Avenue in Manhattan. He counted Hollywood stars, wealthy socialites, and the wives of politicians and industrialists among his clients. He is credited with introducing simple, no-neckline dresses, which he considered his greatest contribution to fashion. Norell was the first recipient of the American Fashion Critics' Award (later the Coty Award) and was among the first American fashion designers to be honoured with a bronze plaque along New York City's Seventh Avenue.
Norell's perfumes were manufactured by four different companies: Norell Perfumes Inc., Norell Prestige Perfumes, Norell Five Star Fragrances, and Norell Parfums New York. The earliest edition of his perfume was created in 1968, and the latest in 2017. The fragrance is described as a beautiful and timeless classic and is known for its complexity and harmonious blend of notes, including hyacinth, cinnamon, and rose.
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Norell's manufacturers: a history
Norell by Norell, also known as Norman Norell, was launched in 1968 in collaboration with Revlon. The perfume was an "instant success", with first-year sales reaching $1 million. By 1974, annual sales had reached $10 million. Over the years, Norell perfumes have been manufactured by several companies, including:
- Norell Perfumes Inc.
- Norell Prestige Perfumes (also known as Prestige Fragrances)
- Norell Five Star Fragrances
- Norell Parfums New York
The original Norell perfume was created by American fashion designer Norman Norell (1900-1972), known for his elegant and feminine designs. Norell studied illustration at the Parsons School of Design in New York in 1919 and fashion design at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn from 1920 to 1922. He began his career as a costume designer for Paramount Pictures and Broadway, designing costumes for silent movie stars such as Gloria Swanson. In 1943, he won a Coty Fashion Award and became a critic at the Pratt Institute's fashion department. He then partnered with Anthony Traina to establish the fashion company Traina-Norell. By 1944, his evening dresses and designs had become famous.
The Norell by Norell product line was expansive, offering a range of luxurious formats, including concentrated perfumes and pampering body products. The brand catered to both fragrance enthusiasts and luxury seekers who valued the finer details of a curated, layered scent experience. At the core of the line were the parfums, ranging from a 1/16 oz Micro Mini for intimate wear to a full 2 oz bottle of pure parfum.
Over the years, the Norell perfume has been reformulated several times, with some enthusiasts preferring the vintage version. The perfume is known for its blend of hyacinth, cinnamon, and rose notes, creating a seamless and harmonious scent. It has been described as decadent, glamorous, and timeless, capturing a world gone by without nostalgia.
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Norell's scent: notes of hyacinth, cinnamon, rose, oakmoss, musk, cedar and civet
Norell by Norell is a Floral Woody Musk fragrance for women that was launched in 1968. The perfumer behind this scent is Josephine Catapano, who also created Fidji, another classic floral chypre fragrance. Norell has been described as "the first great perfume born in America".
The scent of Norell is complex, with a blend of hyacinth, cinnamon, rose, oakmoss, musk, cedar and civet notes. The top notes of the fragrance include hyacinth, alongside narcissus, galbanum, lavender, bergamot, lemon and mandarin orange. The middle notes reveal a spicy floral heart with rose, carnation, cinnamon and a hint of old-fashioned lily and rose. The base notes are woody and musky, with oakmoss, musk, cedar and civet rounding out the scent.
The original Norell fragrance has been manufactured four times by different companies, including Norell Perfumes Inc., Norell Prestige Perfumes, Norell Five Star Fragrances, and Norell Parfums New York. The perfume has been described as glamorous, elegant, and a true classic. It evokes a world gone by, reminiscent of department stores in the 1970s.
The scent has a strong chypre character, with a green spiciness and a musky, dusky quality. It is a well-blended, harmonious fragrance with a unique complexity. While some people may find it too strong or too nostalgic, others appreciate its rich, deep character and the feeling of confidence it evokes.
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Norell's product line: from perfumes to body products
Norell is a world-renowned brand that offers a range of premium beauty products, including perfumes, elixirs, body creams, body oils, and combination sets. The brand was established by Norman Norell (1900-1972), an American fashion designer known for his elegant and feminine designs.
The Norell perfume, first launched in 1968 in partnership with Revlon, is the brand's signature product. It has been described as a "world-class orchestra" of seamlessly blended notes, including hyacinth, cinnamon, rose, carnation, ylang-ylang, narcissus, and musk. The perfume has a strong, spicy, and floral scent, leaving a lasting impression.
Over the years, Norell perfumes have undergone reformulations, with different manufacturers producing variations of the original scent. The earliest edition was created in 1968, and the latest edition was released in 2017. Norell perfumes have been featured in films, such as "The Eyes of Laura Mars," starring Faye Dunaway, who was also the advertising face of the fragrance.
In addition to perfumes, Norell offers a range of body products, including the Norell New York body cream, which provides ultra-hydration for the skin. The cream is known for its intoxicating scent, with base notes of vetiver and orris butter, leaving the skin velvety and scented. The brand also offers elixirs, which are highly sought-after due to their limited availability, and body oils, providing a range of options for customers to experience their captivating fragrances.
Norell's product line has expanded beyond fragrances to include body care, showcasing their commitment to providing a diverse range of premium products that cater to individuals' desires for enchanting scents and self-care experiences.
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Norell's sales and success: from $1 million in the first year to $10 million in 1974
Norell, the perfume, was first launched in 1968 by fashion designer Norman Norell and perfumers Josephine Catapano and Celine Barel. It was a floral, green floral chypre fragrance for women. The perfume was a success from the start, with sales of $1 million in the first year.
Norman Norell was an American fashion designer known for his elegant and feminine designs. He began his career as a costume designer for Paramount Pictures and on Broadway, designing costumes for silent movie stars like Gloria Swanson. In 1943, he won a Coty Fashion Award, and soon after, he partnered with Anthony Traina to establish the fashion company Traina-Norell. By 1944, his evening dresses and designs were becoming famous.
The success of the Norell perfume can be attributed to its unique and complex blend of scents, including hyacinth, cinnamon, and rose, which created a seamlessly harmonious aroma. The perfume was described as "a world-class orchestra" and "a time machine" that captured "a world gone by." It was considered glamorous, decadent, and refined, appealing to women who wanted to feel confident and sophisticated.
Over the years, the perfume has been manufactured by different companies, including Norell Perfumes Inc., Norell Prestige Perfumes, Norell Five Star Fragrances, and Norell Parfums New York. Despite some changes in formulation, the original Norell perfume remains a favourite among those who have worn it, with many considering it a signature scent that brings back memories.
By 1974, just six years after its launch, Norell perfume's sales had increased to $10 million, reflecting its enduring popularity and success in the fragrance market.
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Frequently asked questions
Norell perfume was launched in 1968 in collaboration with Revlon. It was designed by Norman Norell, an American fashion designer known for his elegant and feminine designs.
Norell perfume is described as having a blend of hyacinth, cinnamon, rose, oakmoss, amber, vetiver, musk, and cedar.
Norell perfume can be purchased online from retailers such as eBay and Amazon. It may also be available from vintage fragrance stores or specialist perfume retailers.
Norell by Norell offered a range of luxurious formats, including concentrated perfumes and pampering body products. The parfums ranged from a 1/16 oz Micro Mini to a full 2 oz bottle.
